The average U.S. homeowner spends about $1,250 on an estate cleanout. Depending on property size and the specific services requested, most spend between $275 and $4,000.
On average, estate cleanout services cost $1,250 but can range from $50 to $6,000, depending on the size of the estate and how much work you leave to the pros. Services like sorting paperwork, identifying and valuing assets, hauling large items, and item sales all factor into the total cost of an estate cleanout service.
The total cost of an estate clean-out depends on the specific services you need, the size and scope of the project, where you live, and the types of items involved.
An estate cleanout can consist of various services, such as sorting estate paperwork, identifying which items are valuable assets, removing and disposing of junk, and selling or donating unwanted items.
When donating items, you'll often pay a pickup fee to have the items transported. When you hire an estate cleanout service to sell items, you'll pay them a percentage of the proceeds earned (typically 35% to 40%, according to the American Society of Estate Liquidators) as commission and pocket the rest. This means it’s technically not always an extra cost, but is still a consideration.
| Service Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Sorting estate paperwork | $50–$500 |
| Identifying assets | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Junk removal | $60–$700 |
| Selling items | 35%–40% of gross proceeds |
| Donating items | $100 |
If you hire professional movers to clean out an estate, you'll spend $25 to $50 per hour on labor. Expect labor costs to rise along with property size or number of items. A larger home will have more rooms and hold more items, requiring more labor hours to sort and haul. Likewise, a smaller home with an exceptionally large volume of personal belongings will raise costs.
You may also wish to hire someone to deep clean your house. Many hire a local house cleaning service once the home is cleared of all belongings. This can cost anywhere from $25 to $200 per hour per cleaner.
As with many projects, the cost of living in your area can affect labor and fuel costs. Expect to pay more for estate clean-out if you live in a large metropolitan area as opposed to a rural town.
Oversized or cumbersome items will require special handling and additional labor to clean out. Hauling large items up or down staircases will increase costs by roughly $40 to $100 per staircase. If a crane is required to remove an item, expect it to cost up to an additional $2,000.
| Item | Average Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| Piano | $400 |
| Refrigerator | $50–$150 |
| Furniture or mattress | $180 per item |
| Yard waste | $200–$550 |
| Electronic or hazardous waste | $50–$500 |
Do-it-yourself estate cleanout is possible, and you'll save an average of $275 to $4,000 if you have the time and energy to take care of all of the assets, paperwork, junk removal, donations, item sales, and cleaning.
However, these tasks tend to be very involved and can be especially overwhelming when processing the death of a loved one. Removing and disposing of items can be time-consuming and physically demanding, while accurately pricing valuable assets may require expert knowledge. Consider hiring an estate clean-out service to save you time and stress.
The services offered by your local estate clean-out providers will vary, and some companies may charge extra for certain add-on services or even contract them out to third parties. One example is junk removal, which includes labor and disposal fees. Another is dumpster rental, which may be required if you have lots of waste to dispose of.
Junk removal cost: $130–$370
Dumpster rental cost: $290–$480
House cleaning cost: $70–$370
To reduce the cost of an estate cleanout, look for discounts or special offers. Some estate cleanout companies offer discounts for military veterans or emergency first responders. Others will purchase valuable items such as jewelry, memorabilia, and collectibles. When gathering quotes from local providers, ask about these types of offers and other ways to reduce costs.
One way to reduce labor costs is to cut down on project time by organizing items in advance. Decide which items you’ll keep, donate, or throw away, then clearly label and sort them. This will reduce the work your estate cleaning company has to perform.
To clean an estate, start by locating all important documents, which you’ll need to sort through. Have the mail forwarded, change the locks, and take inventory of the entire estate. Once you know what you’re dealing with, create a plan and a timeline for the cleanout. Start clearing out rooms and sorting items to donate, sell, or get rid of. Finally, deep clean the property.
The four-box method for cleaning out an estate is a technique that can make large-scale projects more manageable. This method uses four boxes to separate items into four categories: items to dispose of, items to give away, items to keep, and items to relocate. You can sort items before a professional estate cleaner comes in to save time and money.
You should declutter first, then clean, especially when sorting through an entire estate. Decluttering reduces the number of items to clean and clears space to make cleaning easier. Once all items, such as large furniture, are relocated, you'll be able to clean efficiently. You can also hire a move-out cleaner to do a professional deep clean before you sell the home.
Estate cleanout services aren’t typically priced per square foot, although you can often expect costs to increase along with the square footage of a property. The real factor at play is the number of items that need to be handled. More items, especially bulky items, mean higher costs, and larger homes tend to hold more items.
